Background: Neonates admitted to NICU are vulnerable to acute kidney injury which can lead to worse outcomes. STARZ score is an AKI specific risk stratification score that can be used to predict the risk of AKI at any time within 7 days post admission in the NICU.
Materials and methods: A prospective observational study conducted from January to March 2024 in NICU at a tertiary care center. STARZ score was applied to neonates fulfilling the inclusion criteria during any time post 12 hours admission and the risk of AKI was predicted. Some variables were recorded at the time of admission and some after 12 hours. Each variable was assigned a score and a cut off >31.5 was proportional to the probability of AKI within 7 days of admission. High risk neonates were then vigilantly monitored during the course of hospitalization.
Results: Out of 127 neonates included, 33 neonates had AKI during the hospital stay. 88(69.3%) of the neonates were identified as at-risk neonates for developing AKI. The neonates with higher probability score were monitored and 33 had AKI of varied stages. In the AKI group, 21(63.6%) had mortality and 12(36.3%) were discharged for home. Maximum mortality was seen in stage 3 AKI.
Conclusion: STARZ score was simple and easy to predict the risk of AKI in neonates during anytime post 12 hours admission in NICU. 26% of the neonates had AKI of varied stages according to KDIGO classification with maximum mortality seen with stage 3 AKI.